Global Trader Drak is awarded SA K1 Champs for 2010

Underberg – The Global Trader Drakensberg Challenge has been awarded the rights to host the SA K1 River Championships in 2010, underscoring the race's popularity and suitability as a championship competition.

The race last hosted the national singles title decider in 2007 when German wunderkind Max Hoff (right below) posted a sensational victory on debut, taking to the river first the first time, in a brand new boat, edging out the local talents of Jacques Theron and Hank McGregor on a difficult low Umzimkulu river.

The Global Trader Drak Challenge consistently attracts the top paddlers in the country to participate in the event.

While the race always produces ferociously competitive racing, the elite paddlers flock to the race because it is raced in a friendly and warm atmosphere, even amongst those dicing for the winner's cheques.

"To be a good event to host the SA K1 champs there must the right balance between technical river skills and flatter water where the marathon racing tactics and stamina comes into play," said six times Drak champion Ant Stott.

"The Global Trader Drak Challenge has all of these, and in almost perfect proportion," he added.

"On both days there are significant stretches of flatwater to balance out the large number of rapids and weirs. That makes it a great test of river paddling ability, and anyone that wins it deserves to be the national champion."

While the right to hosting the national river championship is not expected to dramatically increase the number of elite paddlers taking part as the race already attracts almost all of the respected marathoners and river racers, it will add further prestige to the popular race.

"We are thrilled to be hosting the national river champs once again," said race committee boss Paul Cartwright. "We strive to run this event for-the-paddlers, by-the-paddlers, and they paddlers have supported us incredibly well over the years."

The Global Trader Drakensberg Challenge takes place in Underberg on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February